Tech Blog #180 | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion - Downgrades from Last Year..

Motorola Edge 40 was my favorite smartphone from last year. It had all the features I needed, including some flagship features like wireless charging and IP68 water and dust resistance. I hoped that these features will be improved this year. But seems like it has not happened.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion boasts a sleek and modern design, constructed with a glass front and a silicone polymer back with an eco-leather finish, providing a premium yet durable feel. The phone measures a slim 7.9 mm in thickness and weighs just 174.9 grams, making it both lightweight and comfortable to hold. The device also includes an under-display fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient access. Its build quality is enhanced with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the curved display and an IP68 rating, ensuring resistance against dust and water.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion features a vibrant 6.7-inch P-OLED display with 1080P resolution, delivering crisp and clear visuals at a 20:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of approximately 393 ppi. The display supports a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, providing smooth and fluid animations. And it supports a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Additionally, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering enhanced durability against scratches and impacts. The display also supports HDR, enhancing the contrast and color accuracy in streaming contents.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, which is built on a 4nm process. It features an octa-core CPU configuration with Adreno 710 GPU for better graphics performance. The device offers multiple memory configurations to cater to different user needs, including variants with 8GB or 12GB of RAM paired with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage. This combination ensures smooth multitasking, fast app loading times, and ample space for storing apps, media, and other data. As usual, it does not support expandable storage via microSD cards.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion has a simple but effective dual-camera setup on the rear. It features a 50 MP main shooter with dual pixel PDAF, OIS, and a 1.0µm pixel size, utilizing Sony's advanced LYT-700C sensor for exceptional image quality and stability. Accompanying this is a 13 MP ultra-wide camera with 120-degree field of view, autofocus, and a 1.12µm pixel size, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots. Since it has autofocus, it can capture macro shots too. For selfie enthusiasts, the device is equipped with a 32 MP front camera with an f/2.5 aperture and 0.7µm pixel size, ensuring detailed and vibrant self-portraits. Video recording capabilities are impressive, with the rear camera supporting up to 4K@30fps and 1080p@30/60/120fps with gyro-EIS, while the front camera can record in 4K@30fps, offering high-resolution video capture for both the front and rear cameras.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is powered by a robust 5,000 mAh non-removable battery, which ensures prolonged usage throughout the day. The device supports impressive 68W fast wired charging, capable of recharging the battery to 50% in just 15 minutes, as advertised. This rapid charging capability allows users to quickly top up their device and minimize downtime. Wireless charging has been dropped from last year. The battery's longevity is enhanced by Motorola's software optimizations, providing efficient power management to make the most out of every charge.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion runs on the latest Android 14 operating system, providing users with a clean and intuitive user experience. This version of Android comes with enhanced privacy features, improved performance, and various customization options to suit individual preferences with Hello UI. Motorola has committed to providing regular software updates and security patches to ensure the device remains up-to-date and secure but that is doubtful when considering its history. Additionally, the Edge 50 Fusion integrates advanced AI features that enhance the overall user experience, such as intelligent battery management, optimized performance, and improved camera capabilities through AI-driven enhancements. These AI features help to personalize and streamline daily interactions, making the device smarter and more responsive to user needs.

The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is priced competitively in the Indian market, starting at INR 22,999 for base model(approximately $275/€255) and the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant priced at INR 24,999 (approximately $300/€275). The Edge 50 Fusion offers a compelling package with its powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, stunning 144Hz OLED display, versatile camera system, and substantial 5000 mAh battery with fast charging. The device's design, featuring Gorilla Glass 5 and IP68 water and dust resistance, along with its modern software and AI capabilities, make it a strong contender in the mid-range segment. Whether for photography, gaming, or everyday use, the Edge 50 Fusion stands out as a well-rounded smartphone that delivers excellent value for its price.